To Me My X-Men: The Best Original X-Men Cosplay [Mutant Week]

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of comics or just a dabbler, you’ve no doubt spent some time with the X-Men at some point or another. The series has pervaded the entertainment landscape for decades through not only comics, but numerous animated series, movies and games as well. Yet, even as we all know the X-Men franchise today, it wasn’t always so expansive. Indeed, the original team, co-created in 1963 by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, featured only five young mutants. Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, and Iceman made up Professor X's first class, and the world’s last line of defense against Magneto and his evil Brotherhood of Mutants.

It’s somewhat amazing to think back to a time when mainstays of the franchise such as Storm, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine didn’t even exist yet. It was a time far before Jean Grey would realize her limitless potential as the Phoenix, or Beast would grow his iconic blue fur and animal features. Yet the comic still tackled themes of prejudice, staging mutants as outsiders in a world that fears them. And perhaps it's the charm of these roots that draws so many to cosplay these characters even today.

Cyclops and Jean Grey continue to be cosplay favorites, with Iceman following up closely. No matter which mutant hero is your favorite, each of these characters sees some representation among a devout fan base. In every form and in every evolution, these characters can be found throughout the convention circuit, and we've gathered some their appearances here just for you.

Journey back to the atomic age as we look at the best original X-Men cosplay.